Children's Occupational Therapy

Provides assessment and both direct therapy and an advisory service where needed to children from birth - 19 years old. The purpose of Occupational Therapy (OT) is to help children achieve or maintain their maximum level of independence and to develop practical life skills so that, irrespective of any special needs, they can participate to their full potential in the home or classroom environment. The service works in partnership with the child’s family and teachers. Provides assessments in the following areas:

Motor skills and co-ordination – for example throwing a ball, riding a bike, using PE equipment in school

Self-care and functional skills such as feeding, dressing or toileting and the need for special seating

Fine motor skills particularly in relation to functional tasks such as handwriting, using a knife or fork, use of scissors etc.

They will assess and arrange for the provision of special equipment for school and home such as special seating for those with postural needs, and equipment needed for activities of daily living such as bath and toilet aids. They also carry out developmental and neurological assessment for babies and young children. As Occupational Therapy focuses on enhancing a child’s ability to perform everyday activities and to participate in different environments, Occupational Therapy should result in increased functional skills which will improve quality of life, independence, self-esteem, learning and achievement for the child, young person and their family. Some children will be offered intervention in short blocks whereas others may need ongoing services over a longer period of time. Camden maintained primary schools have a named Occupational Therapist who provides ongoing support to the school through education and training programmes, implementing whole school working together with advice and consultation, as well as individual therapy when needed.

Contact details

Contact Name

Betty Hutchon

Contact Position

Head Paediatric Occupational Therapist

Telephone

020 3317 2200

Address

Address

MOSAICKentish Town Health Centre2Bartholomew RoadLondon

Postcode

NW5 2BX

Further details

Ward

Cantelowes Ward

Last checked date

11/12/2015

Record ID

10932

Local Offer

Local Offer Age Bands

Preparing for Adult Life 14-25Children under 5School Age Children & Young People 5-18

We are based in MOSAIC, the integrated service for disabled children and young people at Kentish Town Health Centre and at Swiss Cottage School and the Royal Free Hospital. However OT staff travel to multiple locations throughout Camden including working in the child’s own home. We also work in all Camden maintained schools.The service covers the whole of Camden.

Children are referred to our service through the Single Point Of Referral (SPOR) by other professionals who believe they may benefit from occupational therapy. There is currently a waiting list but we aim to see all new referrals within 6 weeks from receipt of the referral. Some children and particularly babies may be seen within a day or two of referral. This is an NHS service so there are no charges but it is envisaged that if a parent wanted to use a personal budget for their child this may be possible in the future.

The Head Occupational Therapist views all referrals that are received through SPOR. If we think the child may benefit from occupational therapy we inform the parent/s and offer an assessment. If we are not able to help we write to the parent to explain. There is further information about our service on the Royal Free website at [Royal Free] (http://www.royalfree.nhs.uk/) Children with disability and significant needs will most likely be seen by the OTs in MOSAIC, the integrated Service for Disabled Children and Young People as they may to be assessed by several professionals to meet their needs.

We always provide a written report for the parent after an assessment and further reports are provided on a regular basis when therapy is ongoing. Some assessments maybe joint or multi disciplinary with other professionals. Parent training is provided both individually and at training events. We have information and a range or leaflets which can be downloaded from our website. All service users told about these. We routinely use the hospital or school interpreting service when needed.

Our staff are fully trained in supporting children with special educational needs and disability. We maintain and update our training regularly for example through training in: • Autism Spectrum Disorder • Special technologies to help children with special need and disabilities • Postural management In addition we provide training for professionals working in schools through our whole school working strategy.

If a service user wishes to raise a concern or complain about something they should contact the Head of Service Betty Hutchon. Contact details are: Betty Hutchon Head Paediatric OT Lower Ground Floor The Royal Free Hospital Pond Street London NW3 2QG Telephone: 0207 830 2535 Email bettyhutchon@nhs.net

For further information, please contact the Single Point of Referral (SPOR) administrator on 020 3317 2250

The Local Offer is a free and impartial service provided by Camden Local Authority. Any service or provider mentioned in this Local Offer, does not represent a recommendation or endorsement of the service or quality of the service provided. You are responsible for undertaking your own checks to determine suitability of the service and provider.